If you're thinking of the same Boston Globe article that I read, the author speculated that Boychuk might be worth $6 million to a team in need of defense and not that Boychuk was going to pursue that kind of money. That's an important difference.

I don't remember exactly where I saw it, but when you see guys like Orpik getting $5.5 it's reasonable to think that Boychuk could easily get $6+.

If you're thinking of the same Boston Globe article that I read, the author speculated that Boychuk might be worth $6 million to a team in need of defense and not that Boychuk was going to pursue that kind of money. That's an important difference.

I don't remember exactly where I saw it, but when you see guys like Orpik getting $5.5 it's reasonable to think that Boychuk could easily get $6+.

Oh yeah, I'd be shocked if he couldn't get at least Orpik money if he wanted. That doesn't mean that he'll end up signing for that amount of money though. The money might not be the most important factor for him. Take Brad Richards this year. He could've easily pulled in $6 million short term but instead is in Chicago for $2 million. The Oilers are no Chicago, but you never know what Boychuk wants.

Yes they can, but there is a one day gap or something that you can't use LTIR to your advantage and need to be under the cap with your Savard's and no 10% overage.

I don't believe that.. i'm pretty sure theres a day towards the end of september that both Pronger and Savard will both go on LTIR and both teams will be cap compliant. but hell what do I know. not my job to anyway

Doesn't seem like a much better option than Arco, but would at least create some competition.

Edit: his face off %'s are horrible tho.

Im down to trade one of our guys with high value that is detrimental to the team. Perron for example brings needed grit however he puts us on the PK 50+ times per season. Not only does that create more GA 20% of those times but it also keeps the kids off the ice during important moments in a game where we need to regain or maintain momentum.. or press in the final moments for a game tying or gwg. I would also be down for trading Schultz who seems to think there is a new old boys club in the dressing room as well as Eberle whos tight comraderie will hall could also end up splitting the team environment. This would not only fetch us a kings ransom but also make room for a different 1OA pick to play the top line minutes his pedigree demands.

Seems like there's still a few teams that may need to make some type of move to get at least a little bit of breathing room. Was also surprised that Tampa is in as bad shape as they are with cap space.

Did Saku Koivu retire? Or is he still looking for a contract? He might be an ok option to provide some depth down the middle.

At the start of a season, teams facing long-term injury situations essentially have two options if they want to maximize their cap space for the rest of the year.

OPTION 1: Build the injured player into their opening-day roster and have that roster fit as close to the upper limit as possible without exceeding it, then place the player on LTIR.

....

OPTION 2: Put the injured player on LTIR on the final day of training camp and, including the injured player’s annual average salary or cap hit, build a roster that exceeds the upper limit by an amount that is as close as possible to the injured player's annual average salary.

There are some benefits to being under the cap for day one of the season and then putting a player on LTIR, but teams can put players on LTIR on the final day of training camp in order to make themselves cap compliant.

Here's an article about the Flyers who are in the same position with Pronger as the Bruins with Savard.

Wasn't there a scenario a few years ago where the Flames were in cap trouble after the trade deadline, and once they had a few injuries they couldn't call up replacements because they would go over the cap. I'm sure we played them where they only dressed 17 guys.

Maybe these roster stipulations are part of the new CBA for this very reason?

Stauffer reported a week or 2 ago saying he's now hearing a 1 year deal "in the 3's", might have said mid-3s.

I'm assuming this is taking as long as it has because Schultz and Oilers were a decent amount apart. Stauffer said at the start of the summer he was expecting a 1 or 2 year deal for 2.5-2.75. Now it's changed to a 1 year ~3.5